#401 - Crossing the Swiss Alps – From cosmopolitan Geneva to the UNESCO heritage Aletsch Glacier Joseph travels through Switzerland by bus, train and lake steamer. In Geneva Joseph explores a city that has remained in the forefront of innovation and change and visits Lake Geneva’s fascinating lakeside villages such as the Olympic city of Lausanne. While in the sun-rich, car-free, 7,000-foot atmosphere of Bettmeralp Joseph enjoys a typical Swiss experience that is filled with glacier treks, colorful festivals, local cuisine, the beauty of the rural countryside and warm Alpine hospitality.
#402 - Victoria, Australia – Joseph catches the urban beat of Victoria’s capital, Melbourne, then heads out on the Great Ocean Road to take in the natural scenery and survey the village scene in coastal towns. From the Shipwreck Coast through Victoria’s wine country to the heart of Grampians National Park he travels in search of the best of Victoria. In addition to his town adventures, his journey takes him from one natural area to another in hot pursuit of Australia’s wildlife where he has close encounters with kangaroos, koalas and emus. Along the way he is introduced to the original inhabitants and stewards of this great big land down under – Australia’s aboriginal people.
#403 - Tasmania, Australia – Joseph continues his Aussie adventure in Australia’s island state – Tasmania. From the capital of Hobart and its harbor, markets and elegant neighborhoods he heads out across the state and traces Tasmania’s convict origins in the prisons of Port Arthur, hikes Cradle Mountain National Park, rides out the ups and downs of a fast paced eco-cruise along Tasman National Park’s spectacular coastline and meets the devil – the Tasmanian Devil, that is. Along the way he samples the best of the local food and wine and gets to know Tasmania’s colorful and multi-cultural inhabitants.
#404 - Swiss Roots – Joseph joins his producer and wife, Julie, on her search for her Swiss roots in and around Lucerne, Switzerland. Their hunt takes Travelscope atop Mount Pilatus where they scale the local peaks, try their hand at cheese making and then travel across Lake Lucerne to historic alp horn and handöergeli (Swiss accordion) shops in the village of Schwyz. In Ebikon and Koelliken, Julie takes a walk in her grandparents’ footsteps and shares a glass of local wine and a pot of fondue with her long-lost and newly-met Swiss relatives.
#405 - New Brunswick’s Acadian Festival – New Brunswick is Canada’s only bi-lingual province and the peaceful co-existence between the French Acadian culture and the English Loyalist culture gives visitors two experiences for the price of one. Yet all the world’s French in August during the Caraquet Acadian Festival – a two-week cultural celebration that culminates in a mardi-gras style street party. Joseph heads to the Acadian Peninsula to trace its Acadian heritage, meet modern day Acadians and, during their national day of celebration, join in their festival andLaissez les bon temps roulez – Let the good times roll! During his journey he also partakes of New Brunswick’s natural beauty and the world of adventure that awaits every visitor to this Canadian province year round.
#406 - Germany’s Winter Carnival – Joseph dons his jester’s cap and heads to the German state of Baden-Wüerttemberg for Fasnet – Fasnacht – Carnival. Each town may call it by a different name, but they all agree it’s a non-stop community party that celebrates local culture and chases away the winter blues. Some of the historic carnival characters, like the Narro, date back to the festival’s beginning 500 years ago while others are the products of lively modern-day imaginations. From Konstanz on the shores of Lake Constance to the Black Forest villages of Villingen, Oberndorf, Gengenbach, Elzach and Rottweil, Joseph uncovers the festival’s history and rejoices in the controlled chaos of tolle tage – Crazy Days!
#407 - Thailand – Rediscovering Bangkok – It’s hectic, it’s crowded, it’s the epitome of diversity and filled to the brim with exciting things to see and do. Joseph takes a path less traveled as he explores Thailand’s capital city – Bangkok. During his urban adventure he wanders the back roads and waterways of old and new Bangkok. He participates in morning Buddhist rituals at a local temple, checks out an up-to-date wellness center, tries his hand at the ancient art of crafting a monk’s alms bowl, roasts Thai coffee at a 100-year-old Chinese market and scours a local Thai market for the perfect indigenous ingredients to spice up his gourmet Thai cooking class.
#408 - Thailand – From Golden Triangle to White Sands – From vibrant Bangkok Joseph travels south for a bit of rest and relaxation in the turquoise waters and on the fashionable beaches of the Krabi Peninsula. There he observes the ongoing efforts to preserve nature, indigenous cultures and ancient customs in the face of widespread tourism. After the short respite he heads north to the border of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos to continue his Thailand adventure in the infamous Golden Triangle. From a coffee, tea and macadamia nut plantation to a thriving elephant camp, he uncovers what Thais are doing to transform the Triangle’s ancient opium production to pursuits that will improve the lives of the area’s many Hill Tribe people.
#409 - Fredericksburg, Texas – It’s time for barbecue, German beer tasting, fine wine sampling and guitar pickin’ when Joseph explores Fredericksburg, Texas. Located midway between Austin and San Antonio in beautiful Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg offers visitors hundreds of bed and breakfasts, scores of dining establishments, historic attractions, varied activities and a deep-rooted German heritage. From tracing its Germanic roots and climbing Enchanted Rock to sipping some local brews and getting down-home with some Texas Roots Music, Joseph enjoys a taste of Germany, a heap of nature and a whole lot of Texas.
#410 - Gathering in Scotland – Scotland has been a part of the United Kingdom for more than 300 years, yet it has managed to maintain its distinct customs, culture and character. Joseph dons his tartan and joins the Scottish clans for a bit of culture and fun at The Gathering in Edinburgh where hundreds of clans and thousands of people come together for sport, folk dancing, arts, crafts and bag piping. During his travels Joseph explores Glasgow, imbibes a dram or two of the local product at an island whiskey distillery and meets his grace, the Duke of Argyle, at Inverary Castle during the Campbell clans’ Highland Games.
#411 - Cappadocia, Turkey – Cappadocia, in Turkey’s rural heart, is a natural wonder and a cultural treasure chest. It is where the East and West seem to have collided and “fairy chimneys” – fantastic volcanic ash formations – have risen from the land and tower over beautifully carved valleys. As part of his journey through the Cappadocia Region, Joseph floats in a hot air balloon above the homes and underground cities that are carved out of the limestone rock of the Goreme Valley. He visits holy mosques and ancient churches, delights in Cappadocia’s slower, gentler lifestyle and meets the artisans of the region’s traditional arts and crafts – rug weaving, ceramics and water painting.
#412 - South Africa – On Safari! – Joseph gets an elephant-sized helping of the African wild on safari at the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve adjacent to South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park. Using the elegant Lion Sands accommodations as his home base he heads out in search of the Big Five and encounters lions, African elephants, Cape Buffalos and Black Rhinoceros. He rounds out his wildlife tour at Camp Jabulani when he literally rubs shoulders with two cheetahs at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre then joins other camp guests atop a team of rescued elephants on safari through the African bush. As an important complement to the animal adventures, he visits the local villages and schools in order to understand more about the native culture and discover how they coexist with and benefit from tourism.
#413 - Mozambique, Africa – On Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago Kuta Katilameans, “Roll your reed mat out on the sand, lay back and relax.” Always ready to follow local customs, Joseph does exactly that at the Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa on Bazaruto Island and at the Azura Resort on Benguerra Island. Joseph continues to practice the fine art of Kuta Katila on the sparkling beaches and in the turquoise waters of the Bazaruto Marine National Park. Snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding and sand-boarding down 100-meter high dunes are activities that are all on the agenda, as well as, a sunset swim with horses. Activities aside, as always, the highlight of the show is Joseph’s friendly encounters with the islands’ people and the opportunity to share cultural experiences.
Thailand - from Golden Triangle to White Sands
From vibrant Bangkok Joseph travels south for a bit of rest and relaxation in the turquoise waters and on the fashionable beaches of the Krabi Peninsula. There he observes the ongoing efforts to preserve nature, indigenous cultures and ancient customs in the face of widespread tourism. After the short respite he heads north to the border of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos to continue his Thailand adventure in the infamous Golden Triangle. From a coffee, tea and macadamia nut plantation to a thriving elephant camp, he uncovers what Thais are doing to transform the Triangle's ancient opium production to pursuits that will improve the lives of the area's many Hill Tribe people.
Airdates:
Fri Jul 30, 2010 -- 1:30PM -- KCET-OC
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